Dental Nurse Apprenticeship

Summary

The apprenticeship in dental nursing is an 18-month government funded course - City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dental Nursing. The job entails assisting the dentist, sterilising equipment, reception and any other ad hoc duties as may be required.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm. May need to cover late night Monday or Saturdays if and when required but advance notice will be given.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 26 May 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Provide efficient and reliable chair-side support to Practice Clinicians.

The role will also require working in other areas of the practice such as:

Reception
Dealing with patient queries
Answering the phone and greeting patients
Taking payments
Booking appointments and follow ups
Sterilising and preparing equipment for Dentists
Recording and dealing with patient records
Supporting patients' wellbeing and dental experience
Cleaning dental areas including chairs

Where you’ll work

57 West Bars
Chesterfield
S40 1BA

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

TEMP DENT DENTAL AGENCY LIMITED

Your training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
Comply with current best practice guidelines
Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
Effectively manage own time and resources
Provide chair side support during dental procedures
Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
Take part in continuous professional development activities
Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
Participate in quality improvement activities as required
Be collaborative and work as part of the team
Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
Comply with current best practice guidelines
Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
Effectively manage own time and resources
Provide chair side support during dental procedures
Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
Take part in continuous professional development activities
Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
Participate in quality improvement activities as required
Be collaborative and work as part of the team

Your training plan

A dental nursing apprenticeship is a structured training program that combines practical experience with classroom learning. It typically includes:
• Qualifications: Participants work towards a Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard and may need to achieve Functional Skills in English and maths.

Training: Involves on-the-job training at a dental practice, alongside online study and weekly teaching sessions
Delivered nationwide through blended interactive E-Learning, enabling learners to access the course from anywhere in the UK.
Assessment: Includes an End Point Assessment (EPA) to evaluate competency
Career Path: Prepares apprentices for professional registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) as qualified dental nurses
Overall, it provides a comprehensive pathway to a rewarding career in dental healthcare

More training information

Qualification: Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard awarded City and Guilds
Assessment: End Point Assessment (EPA) after completion of your Portfolio
Functional Skills: English and/or maths (if needed)
Training Location: Dental Practice near you + Online Webinar
Qualification Approval: Integrated Level 3 Dental Nurse qualification (General Dental Council)
Delivery: Online study with weekly teaching sessions
Off-the-Job Training: Provided and paid for by your employer
Schedule: To be agreed upon; details coming soon

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths & English (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

You will be required to be immunised against Hepatitis B. You will also need to pass a DBS check.

About this company

We are very proud to offer comprehensive NHS treatments in every one of our practices across the UK. In addition we provide private dental services, so whichever Rodericks practice you attend, you have the option to receive treatments on an NHS (within NHS regulations) or private basis. We are committed to providing the best possible dentistry. Each member of our team is carefully selected, mentored and supervised to ensure we deliver the service you expect and deserve.

http://www.rodericksdental.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Retail discounts and deals through our easy-to-use app. Extra day of annual leave for your Birthday! Annual leave package which increases with your length of service. Uniform provided.

After this apprenticeship

With experience you may be able to move into jobs like team manager, team leader or dental practice manager
With further training you could become a dental therapist, helping a dentist carry out the more routine dentistry work
You could also become a dental hygienist, helping people to look after their teeth and gums
You might decide to train as an orthodontic therapist helping dentists to improve the look and position of a patient's teeth

Health careers:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: